Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 28, 1872, Page 1

VOLUME 26. Dail; CHICAGO, SATURDAY, DECEMBER NUMBER 131 EOLIDAY GOODS. e GIFTS FOR TE®R NEW YEAR. Owing to the great rush at our new store for Christmas Jewelry, we could not find time to open our entire stock, but are now opening a beautiful display of fresh mnoveltiss for the New Year’s trade which we offer at greatly re- duced prices. 'RODDIN & HAMILTON, 89 State-st., Corner of Washington. N WANTED. General Salesmen, with a large established - trade in this market and with a thorough experience in the Dry Goods business are wanted by BAMLIN, HALE AND COMPANY. WANTED. Fitty to 50:m fest upper grades seasoned pine lumber, 4,1 136 and 2-1n. Address *‘LUMBER,” care Cook, Coburs & Co., Chicago. GENERAL NOTICES. “ THE ADAMS EXPRESS COMPANY ‘Will commence to transact their general business on and after this date at 120 & 122 Dearborn-st., Between HMadison and Washington-Sts. The Branch Ofico At 55 West Washington-st. ‘Will continue to receive and forward all mat- lers asbefore. ANSON GORTON, Agent. Chicago, Dec. 26, 1872. FINANCIAL. DI Wo employ the best facilities known for tho collection af claims, end will dis out sour Eills, aotes, do., in any art of o country wihout cost if not collre o iormes's fees fa sults. Send for circular, of eall for thor- augh explanation. ~ FRASIER'S Mereantilo Coltection ‘Agencs, 146 Fast Medizon st Loans Negotiated Onreslestate, 13 tho clts or suburbs, at current ratos. i G. S. HUSBARD, Jr., 124 East Washington-st. Money to Lioan On first-class Chicago erty; $2,000 in band. S MEAD & cOE. LOATNS A1ade on first-class city prop: No at- REPUELI0 INSURANCE OERTIFIOATES T will zell 4,6 and buy af market price. R. D. STILES, 12 Soath Clark.st., Roon 5. WISCELLANEQUS. .. 0, H.FARG0 & 0., Southwast cor. Madisen and Harket HAVE JUST RECEIVED Blen’s and Women’s Grain Buitalo and Woeol-lined Bals, and Alaskas. Men’s and Wome Congress and Buckle Arctics. Diaries for 1873, AT WHOLESALI: AND RETAIL, At Culver, Page, Hoyne & O c 118 20d 120 Monrce; ) REMOVALS. REMOV.ATI. CERSTENSERG COMMISSION MERCHANT, Was Remeved to 199 East Kinzie-st. M EETINGS. Masome. <. A rogular communieation of Wm. B. Warren Lodge, ¥io. 3, A. Fo & A. il ba hald th day) eve: Isg, oiclock, at Lbssiag Hal for busingss. By order of the W SAM'L. Masonic. The officers elect of Union Park Lodgo will be_installed by Rt. Worshipful W. M. Egan, a1t evening iic :rs and brethren of other Iod':' aro cordi fobo present. GEO. PERK. Have, now left, a limited stock of a SEALSACQUES, CARS, Muffs and Boas, And owing to the advanced sea- son we have determined to close them at a loss of 25 per cent below cost. State and Harrison-sts., Twenty-second & Michigan-av. @%g Of every description. Fur Robes, &c, at MANUTFTACTURER'S COos1T. J.S. BARNES & CO., 164 Bast Madison-st. 6 RENT OFFICES IN THE Tribune Buldng Are nearly finished. Several are yet untaken. Fire-proof, with vaults. Engiish tile floorsthrough- out. No offices in the city equal these in every first-class respect. Plans of the Tribune Building can be seen at the oflice of W. C. DOW, "Room No. 1, Nevada Block. O R I Fine Bank or Broker's Office, No. 122 South Clark-st., Next door to Chicago Clearing Houso. Has largo Pri- vate Ofice, apd an A.No.1Firo and Bargler Proof Vault, 55t 84n. by 7it. 8in, Call and ozamines Also, soveral light eligible ofices {n sawn bailding. Wik HANSBROUGII, LaSall OCEAN NAVIGATIO! ‘White Star Line. NEW YORK AND LIVERPOOL—Now sud ull-powered Room 12. Ships; the six Inrgestin tho world. OCEANTG, o O™ T M b umao, ATLANTIO, T RIAT 3 BALTIO, A %Wflw:uhnrdenfi".l‘(fl h. f oach. Salllng from New ork on- SATURDAYS, from Liverpool on THURS. DAYS, calling at Cork Harbor the day lollowing. From the White Star Dock, Pavonia 'nrr{. ersoy City. "Passcngor accommodations [tor all classes) nasivelled, combining safoty, specd and comfort. Salooas, siat oms, smoking-foom, and bath-rooms in midstiip so tion, Whera lcast wmotion is felt. Sargvon and stoward- «cgses accompany theso steareert. Rates—Saloon, S8, gold: steersge, $20, currency. Toso whaing t6 soad for friends from tho old countsy can obtain l(cfl\'fl;'&l: prepaid certificatos. Passongery pooked to or from all parts of Amatica. Pacs, Hambura, Notway, Gwodou, Dudin At Falthy Ohina, otc. Excursion tickels nted at tho lowest Tat: Drafts from £1 upward. Yor in-pection of ghn.l and other information, apply st the Company's ofiices, No. 19 Broadway, Now York. 2L SPARKS, General Agont, Or to the White Star Lino Otfica, ourh oL-8t. Chlcago. AL LAGREGRE: FGR EUROPE. INMAN LINE ROYAL MATL STEAMERS, Wil eail from New York as follows: ‘Thursday, Dec. Saturdsy, De Aucnis Genorzl Western Agent, 86 Sfioughjflruk -st.i Cl}ieago. FOR EUROPE. CONARD MAIL LINE Establisihiocd, 184C. ‘Wodnesdas. From Boston_ overy as<ape S50 and S100 gold. Exe ~eursi Kots at reduced tates. Stecrage toand from British points. Stecrags ta or from Gorman points. Steerago to or from Bremon or Scandinavl- an points... . 33.00 currency. Drafte on Great Britain, Ireland and tho Ceatine: Tirough bills of lading tor merchz: nd B roj P, \ From New York erc Saturday. Cab 500,000 SUBSCRIBERS WANTED FOR SCRIBNER'S HIORTELY. ““The Gest Magazine in the World.”? Tho NOVEMBER =nd ing th DECEMBER numbers, coatain- o beginning of “Arthur Bonnicastle,” DR. HOLLAND'S GREAT AMERICAN SERIAL, Sent freo to all sbscribers for 1873. SCRIBNER & CO., 651 BROADWAY, NEW YORIK. STOVES. STOVES BELOW COST For 4 Days, to closo out. | Finst<lass Base Buraer for $10.00. { 34 Union, cor. Washington-st. Attention of Hotel and Boarding Houso prietors called to ab i | ® Solicits and fills orders for Tob Printinsg, AT HIS NEW OFFICE, No. 7 Tribune Building, Chicago. PROFESSIONAL. DR. H. TONGUE Has removed to 157_and 189 EAST WASHINGTON- ST., Rooms 3 4, 5 atd 6. Ho has practiced fa tho 'city of Chicago over thirtecn years, aud has the greatest anccoss fn curing all discases of tho head, eye, and car, Beparato rooms and good accommodations for ladies and contlomen. "DISSOLUTION NOTICES. DISSOLUTION. ‘Notico is hereby given that tho partners existing botween B. Olson and C. A firm namo a7 stylo of B. Olson & C solved. Chicago, Do ip heretoforo thren, uader tho is this day dis- 1. OLSON. MaSonie. Home Todge No, 803, A. F. and A. M. Regular com. e g nt 53 o'ciook, at ApoLlo el Statost. ppsitg Tweaty-eighth ot Bisiacss—Lascall o of ol ames B, o 5 oficess, By ordor ot N, W, LOCKE, Sea. 1, a BUILDING MATERIAL, BIIRICES. Thoss wishing to_exclnago good common Brick for -ood cholco roal estato, will please addrass A. P.MOORE, % and 41 Wabash-av. WMORE CALAITIES. A Refigious Gathering Precipitated Into a Cellar, in England, Many Persons Seriously and Others Fatally Injured. Three Vessels Wrecked---Be- tween Sixty and Seventy Lives Lost. Two Men Steamed to Death in a Boiter at Ironten, 0. Narrow Escape froin a Holocaust on ihe Louisville & Nashvilie Raiiroa. BostoN, Doc. 27.—The ehip Peruvian, from Siagaporo for Boston, struck the bar at Cape Cod, during the storm last night, and went to pieces, Her crew werosll drowned. She was owned by Wi, F. Weld & Co., of this city, and her cargo was insured for $406,000, mostiy in Boston companies. t The bark Kadosl, of Boston, from Menille, for this port, ran sskore, last night, at Point Alder- ton, between the bars; Her boats, in gotting ashore, cepsized, snd the Captain and eix men were drowned. Eight of tho crew were saved. Loxpo, Dec. 27.—Thirty pereons were lost in the steamship Germany. Twelvo were passon- gers, and but one was American. Loxpo, Eng., Dec. 27.—During a missionary mooting at Salford, last night, tho floor of tho building gavo way, precipitatiag 8 hundred per- sons & considersblo distance. lany wers ia- Jured, some fatelly, Special Desy.atih ta The Chleazo Tribunc. Inoxzo¥, O., Dec. 27.—A ierriblo accident oc- curred this morning at the Belfast furnace. Threo men, Ellis Moore, James Venters, and Andrew Diles, entered three boilers which had been disconnected from the rost of th bettery, for the purpose of cleaning thom. They had fixst oponed the mud vaive and allowed the water to escape, after which thoy entered tho boilers ‘without closing it, as they should heve done. Tho engincor, who hes been employed but & short time, and did not kmow of the connection between this volve and the ono sttacked to the battery, camo snd ttrned on steam from the Intter, Tt instantly filled the empty boilers through the connection pipe, and the stoam re- mained turned on o short timo before they man- nged to_crawl out snd wero discovered. Ven: tera and Diles are very badly scalded, the skin pecling from them parboiled foshin large flakoes, and their finger-nails coming off. Their cries of agony were said to be bheertronding. They wore removed as 500n 28 possible to their homes. Ifoore heard the steam coming, aud had the presence of mind to retreat to the farther ead of the hoiler, and is unhurt. Ventors aud Diles both died within five minutes of each other this alternoon. Special Despateh to The Chicago Tribuns, LaSarsw, Ill., Dec. 27.—Thomas Gallev, o ‘miner, omployed in the LaSalle coal mino in this city, and held in high estcera among his asso- ciates, mot death in & shocking maunor this morning. Another miner at work ina contigu- ous room, firec a heavy blsst in the dividing wall, avd, instead of spending its force in front 83 was oxpocted, it demoiished the wall and cast tons of conl upon Mr. Galloy. His head was crushed. and scarcely & bono in his Lody was left unbroken. He leaves a wifo and_four chil- dren. His fellow-miners suspended work for tho remainder of the dey. [To the Associated Press.) LotssvuLr, Xy., Dec 27.—The nccidont on the Louisvillo & Nashvillo Raiiroad was not g0 fatal as first roported. Tho prseonger train which loft bero about midnight last night, etrack a broken rail near Glasgow Junction, 75 miles from this city, sbout 4 5. m. Tho engine pzasod over safely, biat the rest of tho train, consisting of the baggage, two passenger, aad & sleoping car, after ruuning & short distance on tho ties plunged dovn an embankment 15 feot, all Tho cars turning - over and being con- siderably irjursd. The baggage, maii, and express matter took fire almost immediate- Iy, bat tho firo was provented from spreading Ly tha exortions of tho train hauds and passengoers. An express messenger, nsmed King, was rescued Dy being pulled from under the burning baggage car. _All tho passengers got out of tho cars, ox- cept Peter Fox, from this city, who was jammoed in the wreck, and hed tobo cut out. His log was €0 badly crushad that it had to_be amputa- ted, and it is reported ho will die. Nono of tho rest of tho passengers, numbering _about thirty, wera dangerously injured, though most of thom roceived severe bruises. SaLT LARE, Dec. 27—Thero is but little sddi- tional from ‘tho Cottonwood avalsnche. It is asserted that twelve men sro missiug. Tho slide came from the very mouutain top, a distance of & mile, with frightful speed and force. The storra_prevented a warning of its approach, until it was upon the lincs of teams passing at tl:o point where it crossed tho road, when nulos, wagons, and eacks of ore were carried away liko wisps. Tha body of snow whero the forco of shovelers aro at work ia very large, and ho exca~ yation alow. One dead body was' recoverad to- ay. ~ From th Lovisville Cauricr~Tonrnai, Dec, 25. Extra freight train No. 2, south, on the Jeffer- sonville, Madivon & Indiauapolis Railroad, left Indignapolis Monday ab 2:25 p. m. The train was in chargo of Jobn Belch, engincer; Georga W. Potter, fireman; and Henry Koons and Joseph Bowers, brakemon. The train, whon it left Indinnapolis, was composed of only threo cars, containing merchandise for parties in this city and Jeffersonyi When the train arrived at “Greonwood thore were added thirteen cars londed with hogs, making in all sixtcon cars, which wera drawn by ono of_the best locomotives on iho road, the Powall. All wont well with tho train ap to half-past 2 o'clock in the morning, when it was near Menryville, in Clark County, & station ebout twonty miles oat, on tho Jefl. road, from_this city. The train was running at the rate of about thirtcen miles an hour, the usual running time. Tho engineer and firoman werc at their regalar posts on tho engine. One of tho brakemen, Henry Koons, was also riding on the engino. Tho other brakeman, Joseph Bowers, was at his_place of duty in one of the cars in tho rear of the train. It was n bitter cold morning, and the train was run with un- usnal caution on account of tho danger of snap- ping a rail. At learyvillo thero isa sido switch to allow tho passage of trais, This switch openo to- ward thesonth, and nfter it is used by a trcin it is put back: inl its proper place £nd locked. If it is left open and tho fact not discovered by thoso on board of s train coming south, fatal Tesuls, 08 in this caso, must ensiie, 2s tho train is immediately thrown' from the track, the rails not connceting by tho spaco of at least half foot. To tho Tight of this switch is an embank- ment about four feat deop, at' the bottom of which is a small ravino, About two hours before, the passenger train bound north hod passed this ewitch and left it in perfect order. No dsngor was apprehended, and the crash_camo without o moment’s warn. ing. The ongino of the freight train struck tho opened switch, and in an instent was hurlsd to tho ravine below, whoro, with cloven shat- tered cars, it now lies. Of tho fourmoro on board tho ill-fated on; ne, Josoph Bowers was tho only ome saved. Extricating himself from tho wreck, he hastened to the vilago near by and gavo tho alarm. A party of citizens was_ quickly gnther and, amiving at tho scono of the accident, it was discovered that the engine Lad buried be- neath its ruins the other threo anfortunate men, Telegrams wero despatched to Reuben Wells, the master mechauic of the road, who started immedintely for Centrevillo with & wrecking train. There vas but littlo use fer it, howover, the cars having been thrown entirely clear of the track. The bodias oi tho victims of the dis- azter, Jobn Beleh; Georg) W. Potter, and Honry Koons, were removed fran tho debris of thoe en- ine in a maugled and’ dwckinfi condition, not -being recognizable. Tio bodies were badly scalded, but the men mut havo diod instantly. A large number of hog: which were in the cars, consigned to s Louisvilo packing-house, were killed or injared. All thp merchandise in ths front cars was badly damiged. The engine and eloven cars sre nearly tohl wrecks. JTwo_ trains pzssed tle point a few hours befare the sccident occund, and the officers of the trains stated yestordry fo tho reporter that the switch had been ““8cup” and left sceure. There is said to be littls loubt that the switch hiad been tampered with >y some person or per- sons nnknown, and hexd tho sccidont. _Our re- porter was also informad in this connection, that this “same_ switch had. ken found open soveral times before, but the facihad been discovered in time toprevent disuh'mf results. Hrom the Cinginnad Gazatie, Dec. 28, The tral on the Whitiwater Valley Railroad, due hero 3t 9 p. . Tucsay night, was delsyed st Valley Junction until dter 4 o'clock yesterday morning, ‘on account of the obstruction of the I,C.&L. Road botwem that point and the cily, caused by s collisbn between two freight trains on Tnesday aftericon, When tho wreck was removed, and the rord clécr, the Whitowater Yalley train, under charg of Conductor Stokes, and consisfing of an ergine, ome baggage car, and fwo passenger cars proceeded o its way to the city. When nen: Trautman's Station, seven milea from the dty, the engincer, Mr. Thomas Onkley, percoivd that somothing was wrong with his train, thagh the engine was all right. Ready to suspectof the dreaded danger of a broken rail, ho instatly applied the atmos- pheric brake, with which, most foctunately, the train was suppliod. At (aco he saw that what hs dreaded was reality A rail had broken, and he saw, to his horror. the_cars béhind him, with their living froigit, off the track an bumping over the ties md frozen ground. It was but o little while, hcwever, until his sus® penso was ended, or ratler until it assumed & new shape. Before the train could be checked, the three cars careerad, the conpling botween the beggage-car and tho engino broke, and tho cars tumblod with & crashjnto the ditch, leaving the engino all right on the track. The engineer’s responsibility was ended, ind the time for action by thoee in the cars begat. "It vas dark and bitter old. Red-hot stoves in a ditched, overturned train filled with passen- sers, suggested horrozs wih which the publicis already t0o familiar. The train men were at ouco outeidg the cers. Tle etoves were not 8o firmly fixed in their places that the fall did not dislodge them. The engire was furnished with & number of buckets, and the express messen- ger, conductor, engineer, snd others, had enough prosonce of mind to give their first attention to suoduing tho fires, ~The buckets were filled from the ongine, and the dres in the stoves were extinguished in time to prevent a repetition of tho Prospect horror. Then, 1n the darkness axd the cold, began the ‘work of investigation into the injuries. It was found that the same good fortune which had at~ tended the accident so far, followed this feature of it. Asthe Euecugers came out of the wreck one by one, and roported, it wos ascertained that no- gerfovs ; injury wes sustained by anyone. James-Hont & braloman, was cut on the fore-, head; snd elso.on tho back of the head, but he “was not disabled, and returned west on’ s train vesterday. Tho only other person who recioved o hurt worse than a-slight broise, was a passen- ger whose hend was slightly cut. As socn a8 tho cara were secured from confla- gration, and the passengers extricated, Conduc- tor Stokes stowed the latter in and on the engino, and brought them into the city. The cara were thrown into & ditch six or eight feot deop lying between tho I, C. & L. and the 0. & M, tracks. Theyrm about 100 yards after leaving the track before turning over. The nsé of the atmospheric brake, by which the train was checked in time ioprevent a severo shock when it ol over, a8 well s tho promptnoes with Wuh the fire quest’on was settled, are to be credited with eavin# tho ‘public_from hews of another he:nrend.ins’nikond accident. - WALL STREET. ~ ° Xeview of the Moncy, Boud, Golld, : Stock, and Produce Markets, Special Despateh to The Chicago Tribune. . *NEw- Yonx, Deo. 27.—The markets were dull tb-day in consequence of the practical suspen-’ sion of business by the snow. " AMONET. The stringency i money increased, opening active at 34, advancing to K@, with excen- tional lozns at 3. At the final closo the rate declined to 1-16 to 7gold. The banks anticipate an early call for & siatement, and are preparing forit. The enow blockade prevents any influx of currency, and Littla relief to the moncy maz- ket is expectod beforo Jan. 5th or 10th. Dis- counts are dull at 10 to 12 for the best. STOCKS. Tho stock market was dull and heavy, fluc- tuating but fraetion and in favor of tho bears. A fow transactions at long options wero mado in New York Central and Northwestors, in expeo- tation of & January rise. GOLD AND EXCHOANGE. Foreign exchango was firm but inactive. Gold ruled firm oarly in the dsy, advancing to 1123, but declined to 112. Tho steamer, to-morrow, will carry out nbout 1,000,000 of specie, and Iargo oxports noxt week are looked for. Thero wero indications of the Treasury bidding to-day ; that a clique was_scoking to lock up gold, but tho sward was fairly distributed. 'The market was well supplied with cash gold, which is hoavy. ; : BONDS. Government bonds wero firmor and higher, the biddings brisls, and tho offerings fow. PRODUCE. Flour closes stronger, especially for grades undor §7.50, of which the stock is very light. Wheat closes better, and fairly active, the do- mand being chietly for export, and for the bet- ter qualities of spring. \inter was stronger, and less frecly offered. Pork ruled dull sk $18.50 for now mess for Decomber, and $18.00 for January and February. Cut meats—100 tierces pickled bams, 15 pounds, sold at 9c. Bacon—short clear scrrce, and higher. Sales of 200 boxes on dock at 734c} 7i4e bid for the bal- anco of Docember. Lard stoady, but quiot. FORT WAYNE. Arrest of a Forger—Serious Stabbing Afiray—The Hibler Murder Trials ‘Special Despateh to The Chicago Tridune. Fosr WAYSE, Ind., Dec. 27.—Jobn Clatk, an Englichman, was srrested hero to-day by De- tectivo Thos. C. Pierce, of Highlestown, N. J., for forgery committed two yosrs since on the Central National Bank of Highlestown, in that State. Clark was traced to England, thence to Tort Wayne, where ho resided abomt two months. Ho was taken to Now Jersey to-daz . An aflray aceurrod in Louis Sehroder's_saloon in which Richard Teghmeyer was stabbed in tho sido by Henry Strout. The wound inflicted is three inchos long and one deep. Strout was ar- zesied and held to await the rosult of the in- juricc. Both wore intoxicated at the time. Tho Hibler murder trial opened to-day, Joseph France oponing thecase for the Stato by alengthy speech. By arder of Judge Drackearidge, tho witnesses for tho Stale were separated. ~ The examination of witnessescommences to-morrow. Tho attornoys in the caso arc W. G. and H. Cole- Tick for tho defence, Joseph France and E. O'Rourlso for the State. The Court-room was densely filled with interested spoctators. —_— A Saloon Murder. Special Despatch to The Chicago Tribune. DarroyN, Ohio, Dec. 27.—Swinehart’s saloon was the ecene of a murder, yesterday afternoon, in which a man named Wagoner was_struck on the side of thehicad with & club, in the hands of tho proprictor. Wagoner cut several parties in the saloon, and, it is claimed, attacked Swinehart with a knife, who, in self-defence, struck him with a club.’ Ho died in a few minatos after be- ing struck. Railroad News. NeW Aupaxy, Dec. 27.—The sale of the Lonis- ville, Now Albany & Chicago_Railroad, running from New Albauy, Ind., to Michigan City, under a dccreo of tho United States Court, took placa to-day at noon. Georgo L. Schuyler, of New York, was the purchaser for the first mortgage bond“holdare. Sigma Chi Covuxsus, 0., Dee, 27.—The Sij Chi fra- ternity adjournedl to-day, after deciding to hold their noxr convoation in Richmond, Va., during the third weel in October, 1874 | Broa FIRES. Anether Serious: Conflagration in New York Cily, Several Narrow Escapes from Burning to Death--- Loss $250,000. Several Warchouses Destroyed in Bos- ton---Loss $100,000, Disgusting Red-Tape Proceedings in Connection with the Centra Street Fire. Spectul Despateh to The Chicago Lribunes New Yorg, Dec. 27.—One of the ugliest cases of “red tape” on record has appesred in rela- tion to the Centre street firo. Though three days havo elepsed since the six girls and oneboy were burned and buried under the falling walls, not a brick has been removed to ascertain their fato. The Superintendent of Police says he is not sure the expenses will be paid by tho city, and has referred the matter to the Corporation Counsel. The proprietor of tho property de- stroyed says the lessecs aro concerried and not himself. Tho lessces assyme they cannct dig out the bodies without injury to thoir insurance claims. Thowalls fell in at such an early stege of the fire that somo of the victims wo ro proba- bly but slightly burned. The dolay in searcbin g for them is disgraceful, if not criminal [To the Associated Press.] New Yoz, Dec. 27.—The ‘debris of the great Centre strect fire is still covered with snow and ico, and untouched by the shovel or pick. The owner _of the building, Robert Craighead, resid- ing at Yonkers, has been telegraphed to several times, but mado no reply. The polico havo mo suthority to touch & stone of stick of the buirnt srerises without tho sanction of tha owner, end esidos, are afraid to employ laborors for the purposs lest the Comptrollor may refuse to pay the bill. Menntime the Police Headquarters and the Sixth Precinct Station Housos are daily be- sciged by relatives of tho unfortunate derd, do- ‘manding that search be commenced, end eagerly offering assistance. Coroner Herriman' this afternoon officially requestcd Superintendent Kelso to evacuato the ruins, expressing tho Delief that the Board of Polico Commissioners or Department of Public Works havo power to order tuo work performed, and saying that 0o red tape ought to be allowed to interfere with a humane duty. This apposl i8 expected to be successful. | A formal investigation into the causes of tho firo will commenco aftor search hiaa boen made for tho bodies. Sovoral young girls employed in the burned building visite the ruins to-day and cried bitterly over tho grave of their fellow-workers. Tho City Superintendent of Buildings in & card to-duy, seys thero aro thonsrnds of Luildings in the city moro dengerous than tho one burned in Centre street. About half-past 6 o'clock this morning firewas discovered in the basement of the building Ne. 160 Mercor strect. The fircmen were promptly on the ground, notwithsianding tha snow, but the fire Lad gained considerablo hendway, &8 it bad doubtless been burning for some time inside of the building before it was diccovered. Ar- other alarm droy o the fire an additional force, including the Chiof of the Fire Department: Tho flames soon sprend through the block to- ‘the buildings Nos. 619 and 621 Broedwny. The property belongs to the Biuyveseut estate, Tho fire on Mercer streat extonded to Nos. 168, 169, and 162, and caused damago_ excoodiig 415,000, Tha property on way wes occupied by Maillard as o hotel aud _confoctionery store. Tho damage to tho building and property is over 820,000. Hall's tailorstore on Broadway, and one or wo small Btores on Mercer street, wero also damaged. Among the buildings burncd in Morcer street were two tonement houses, and soveral families were rendercd homeless, The total losses are 63id to be not less than $250,000. A Gormen girl was dangorously wourded at tho Morcer stroct fire by jumping from & third- story window. 8qon after the fire broko out, the windowa of the rooms on the upper floors of tho Broadway buildings wero filled by pesons who occupied them 08 lodgers, Some Women wero shrioking for help, under the impression that the meens of escapo were cut off. ‘I'he majority escapod by the stairs, but some, in their fright and bewilder- ment, did not avail thomselvec of this means of exit. Two men and three women wero rescued from tho upper floors by means of laddors. A man and woman who wero found on 5. stairway near the third floor were nearly suffocated. Solo- mon J. Gordon, lawyer, who lodged on ono of the upper floors, was also roscued, 8s late as 11 o'clock this morning, in & condition approach- ing; sulfocation. The only r:eans of exit from the double teno- ment-house was ono narrow, zigzsg stairway, covered with enow and ice.’ The fire-escapes wero in a danzerous condition, By tho efforts of olice, il wore extricated from tho burning building. ' M.ny of the rescued wers only half- clothed. Their condition was truly pitiable, and their lamentations, while shivering in tho snow, ‘wero almost as painfol as their shrioks when in dangor from fire, Theinvestigation into the fire has commenced, and the ovidenco taken thus far shows that tho stean-pipes did not come in contact with tho woodwork, though running within six inches of the floor-beams. ~ Tho Superintendent expressed {he belief that the fire may have been caused by o lingering spark from the furnace used for roasting cocos. Tho loss by tho Franklin street fire, last night, is tully covered by inurance. Woaayeroy, N. C., Dec. 27.—Two private rosidences, three stores, and other smallor buildings were burned lust night. The loss is $40,000. PrruApELPEIA, Dec. 27.—The Fairkill Rolling Mill was burned this morning and its machinery ruined. Tho loss is $30,000, Special Despatch to The Chicago Tribune, MAaD1soY, Dec. 27.—Between 5 end 6 o'clock this morning, Mrs. Lyons' millinery establish- ment in the Atate Journal Black, and two doors from its office, was burned out, and the con- tents utterly dostroyod or ruined. By the prompt and vigorous efforts of the firemen, tho Hlames were confined to that room and tho dress- malker's over it. The wholo loss will not cx- ceed £5,000, with some 3,500 insurance. Tho fire was caused by the tipping over and break- ing of » kerosene lamp, which Mrs. Lyon sct st the edgo of the connter just alter siarting the fires, A disastrous conflagration was narrowly escaped. . Sr. Louts, Dec. 27.—Tho insuranco on tho 1oss by firo last night is as follows: Liggott & Dousman building, St. Louis Mutual, $4,000; Jefferson Mutual and Aound City, $2,000 each. Toial, £8,000. Stock, North Bniish, $10,000; North American, $5,000; Phonix, $5:000; Roy- al, §5,000; Commercial Union, $5,000: Frank- lin, Philadelphis, $2,500; Citizens’, Now York, £9/500. Total, $35,000. Alachinery, Home, New York, $5,000;” American Central, §5,000; Home Mutaal, ‘St. Louis, 250005 Mound City, Bt. TLouis, #5,000. Total, $20,000. The ~damago to the ndjoining buildings on the noi occupied jointl 7 Tiggett & . Dousman and 4. G Ticmeyer is §75,000. Insurance same as corner building. Insurance on Trimeyer's stock : Sun, of Cleveland, $3,600; Girard, $5,000; Citizens', St. Louis, $6,000; Ltoval, $10,000; North St. Louis, $2,000; Alemanis, $3,500; Washington Mutua), $5,000; Commercial Union, ©5,000; American, ' Ponnsylvania, $5,000; German, $5,000; Manhottan, $2,500; Tiremen's, New York, £5,000. Total, S57,500. Boszo, Mass., Dec. 27.—This nfternoon a fire broke ont in the freight sheds on tho south sido of Long Wharf, sdjoining tho Philadelphia steamboat pior. Tho loss on goods stored is es- timated at $100,000. Bostoy, Dec. 27.—Thero wore five alarms of fire last évoning, ome of which came from the new Post Oftice, which was damaged in its walls by an_overheated furnace. Another alarm was caused by the burning of the small-pox hospital in Highland District, which throws some 300 small-pox paticnts upon the community. ~Tho pecuniary loss is §15,000. CepaR Raprns, Iowa, Dec. 27.—A fire at La- porte, Towa, this morning, destroyed & corn-crib containing (90 bushels of ¢orn. Theloss is prob- ably nearly covered by insurance, which is 2300 in the Farmers’ Insurance Compeny of {his city. WASHINGTON. Kpecial Deapatch to The Chicago Tribune. GOVEENENT REAYL, ESTATE. WasarsaToy, Dec. 2f.—Senstor Carpenter's bill to regulate the taking of private property for public uss, 88 its title teads, but which ss pertaining to its subject matter, provides for acquiring the title of property belonging to citi- zens in the Uaited States, through the interven- tion of the Fedcral Judiciary, promises to give rise to an important and interesting discussion when it shall come up in the Semate after the holidsye. A table is now being propared in the Trezsury, Departracnt which shows that the Goy- crament already hos the fee simple to upwards of 40,000,000 worth of real estate in the sites of post offices and custom honses alone, to say uothing of arsonsly hayy yenis, maguzines dock yards, etc. It i8 claimed that the care of this immente property is getting to be 80 great, and that, with the growth tnd cxpunsion Of the country, 'the dewaand for new ofiicial buildings is increaslng ot such an_enormous rate, 55 to ne- cesgitate, Booner O Intor, the creation of & now fle%&rlmeflt, to be known &8 the Department of Public Works, to which ehall beé essigned not only the custody of this property, but to which shall slso bo reforred the vari- ous questions arising thérefrom, including the acquiring of titles and recommetdstions for the construction of new public buildings. Accord- ing to the lawyers of the Scnate,the whols subject of eminent domain, as itis tobo ex- pressed by the Government, is at _present wrapped in considerable uncertainty. The Con- stitution originally provided that the Govern- ment might_acquito exclusive jurisdiction over property ceded by tho several States and g)m» chased by the consent of the Leglature of the States aforesaid, but the Fifth Amendment fo the Constitution, by Erorirlln‘g that private property shall nof be taken for public use with- out just compensation, givesriseto the cleimthat tho Tight of emineat domain is thus conceded to the Fedoral Government, and that the *‘neces- sity,” 28 Senator Carpenter phrases it, of the United States eneaking around State ILegiela- tures for permission to buy titles is obvinted. Benator Carpenter anticipates that, from the mere novelty of the thing, his bill will meot with the most strenuous opposition, both' on consti- tutional and political grouuds, and_that if it pesses et all, {§ will ba in some modifisd form, the genersl features alono béing preserved. THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SYSTEM. Benator Morton is now preparing s speech, which he proposes to doliver during the winiér session, an_our presoiit ssstem of elcot- ing a President. He i of the opinion that tho present _ campoigp has demonstrated that our electoral system is thoroughly defective, and that contingencies may arise, such as tho death of the President- elect, or a close canvass, wherein the vote of & eingfc State would be decisive of the result, and wherein frauds, informalities, or irregularities, 88 in Louisiena and Arkensas, would require that such voto e set aside, which would precipi- tate a revolution, extending 2ll over the coun- try. He will argno in favor of & direct vote by £lio people, with the abolition of the Electoral College, claiming that the latter is & cumber- some picce of machinery, which hes_been long sinco outgrown, and which was instituted sim- ply because of & want of confidence in the peo- plo by the framers of the Couetitution. (7o tiw Aesociated Press.] PUESIDENTIAL REGEPTIONS. WasaTNGTON, Dec. 27.—The evening recep- tions of the I'residont and Mrs. Grant will com- wmence Jan. 15, and continuo Jzn. 29 and Teb. 12, . RESIGNED. . Goneral Francis A. Walker has tendered the President his resignation as Comsiissioner of Indian Affsirs, to tako effeet tho Ist of Jenuary next. It iy understood that tho resignation has boon accepted, but a_successor will not be ap- ointed until after the return of Secretary De- 0 from Cuba. NEW YEAR'S RECEPTION PROGRAIRIE. The nunouncement is made by authority, that at 11 o'clock . m., on the Ist of Jauery, the Prosident will reccive members of tho Cabinet .and forcign Ministers ; at 11:30 a, m., Judges of the Bupreine Court of ' the United States, Sena- tors and Representatives in Congress, Governor of tho District of Columbia end suite, Judges of tho Bupreme Court of the District of Co- lumbia, and of tho Court of Claima; at 13 o'clock, officers of tho army and navy ; &t 12:80 P. 1., heads of buresus of the several Depart- mouts ; at 12:45 p. m., associated soldiers of the War of 1812, and nihnbozs of tho oldest in- habitanta of the Association of the District of Columbia. The reception of citizens will com- menco at 1 p. m. and terminate at 2 p. m. A COLORED MURDERER. Thomas_Wright, tho_ colored desperado ar- rested on Woduesday night, charged with the murder of iLo Polish pedlor, Samuol Rogerski, whose dead body was found in an alley horribly mangled, had a hearing at the Police Court, to- day, aud was fully committed to await tnoaction of the Graud jury. 'The evidenco is 80 strong against him as 0 leave no doubt of his guilt. A NEW YORK. Conl Snle Postponcd—Eleciion of Pos lice President—important Decision— Stokes Tells Ilis Story—Miscellanes ous Local Nesvz. New Yomg, Dec. 27.—The monthly Scranton conl salo hes been postponed till the 3d .of Jenuary. Cominissioner Smith- was, to-day, re-clected President of the Police Board, vice Manierre, Tosigned in his favor. "Tho Board of Apportionment, to-day, author- ized the issuc of five millions’ worth of city ‘bonds, forpublic improvements, of which half a million is for tho purchaso of land for the River- side Park. Judgo Biatchford has decided that the Adams Express Company is entitled to recover from the United States the value of £6,500 Treasury notes, of which ono of its messengers was robbed in Iay, 1868, and which were aftorwards purchased in good faith by Vermilye & Co. The value of the notes wea paid into the Court of the United States, subject to a decision which of tho claim- ants should have it, and will be handed over to tho Expross Company. In the Stokes case, to-day, the prisoner told his story of the shooting. He admitted that he shot Fisk, but did uot intend to kill him, and that the shooting, moreover,was in self-defonce, Fisk having drawn & pistol to shoot him. He had been, lie said, in constant fear of personal violence from the emiesaries of Fisk. Stokes contradicted the evidenco of Parker, given yes- terday, and stated that Le nover called Fisk s blaclmailer, nor threatened to shoot him. Compulsory Confession. Special Despateh to The Chicago Tribune. CepaR Rarips, Iows, Dec. 27.—At Scranton, Tovwa, last night, Alva’ Chambers, who is under arrest for murdering Charles Kendoll at Now Jefferson, Iowa, & few days since, was taken from the 'Sheritf by crowd of aboat fifty citi- zens of Scrantcn, Iowa, who wero going fo Iynch him, when Chambers made = full confes- sion of the murder, and was returned to the Sheriff unharmed. = It seoms that young Ken- dall, who was about 19 vears old, undertook to find out who took £2,000 or $3,000 from the county, two or three years ago, and was_so suc- cessfal that tho parties were arrceted. The thieves swore they would shoot him if he teld anything more. 1t is thought this Chambers is one of the party. Special Despatch to The Chicago Tribune. Des Morxes, Iowa, Dec. 27.—Yesterday the Coroner’s Jury in the caso of Chas. W. Kendall, who was found murdered in Kondrick Township, Greon County, lnst Sunday, decided that tho decoased was murdered by Lacey Chambers. The accused was arrested and talon to Scranton fortrial. At Scrantow the prisoner was taken away from tho officors by a_mob of 50 men. After confessing to the mob_ that he knew of the murder as tho timo, and charging the commis- sion of the crime on his brother Alva Chambors, ho was returned to tho custody of the officers and lodged in jail to await triel. — Occan Steamship News. Sourmaxrerox, Dec. 27.—The steamship Amer- ica hay arrived. Bavrrxong, Dec. 27.—The steamer Georgo Leary arrived safoly st noon. She was detained by Ice. “HavuIFAs, Dec. 27.—The steamship F from Stettin for New York, put in hore short coal. All well, —d RIVER DISASTERS. An Ice-Gorge Breaks on thae Mississippi, Near Memphis. Six Steamers and Ten Barges Sunk-ss Four Steamers Badly injured. Loss About One-Quarter of a flillions Menrems, Dec. 27.—Last night the ice gorged at the Hen and Chickens, just sbove this city, and at 2 o'clock this morning the gorge broka and the ice came dovn with terrific force, sweep~ ing off the dry docks; then cuiting down ten: barges laden with coal, belonging to Brown & Jones; then steamer after steamer Iying at the wharf, until it was thought that not a singls one of the large number lying thers could be saved. The following is a fist of tha boats lost = Laura, Belle Pike, K. P. Walt, Undine, West« wind &nd the City of Augustz. ~The tow-boat Nellio Thomas is Iying in a critical condition, and it i3 donbtful whether she can be eaved, ag the ice is ranning very beavily. The Westwizd and Walt were loaded with cotton. AMerers, Dec. 27, 8 p. m.—Tke bluffsin froné of this city and the loves ara lined with peoy ia watching the strange epectacle of destruction by the ice. Just abova the foot of Jeile etreet lies the R. P. Walt, crowded on shore broken in two. Abovs her is the Belle Pii sunk sbove her guards, supported by emni¥ barges, and just below lies the Laura, broken. The crows are busily engaged i wrecking them, in order to save all possiLlo b~ fore tho ice changes their condition. Just at the water-gange lies the West Wind, driven on the bow of the White Star wharf-boat, her up; works s complete wreck, but her bull, wit bales of cotton, eomsn.mtively urinjured. Ju. nstern, and crowded on the outer guard of the wharf-bost, lies tho Andy Bsum, with kb upper works badly dumaged, and the' boat precarions condition. I'he wharf-boat i3 bub Littlo injured at its stern. _ The Arlington, Glae- gow, and St. Francis are lying with their guards Znd upper works smashed. s Oiving to the confusion and strenmous efforis of the crews to save evorything possible eud guerd agair st furthor danger, it is impossible to obtain reliable data as to the losses. The Welt is owned by Elliott brothers, Memphis, who ara now.engaged in wrecking her, and sasing all tha cotton possiblo. The Laura, the Mound City ferry, will be a_total loss. She is owned by Captain James, her commander. The Belle Pika it prove almost a total loss, tegether with She is owned by the les Packict Company. and 13 _bee & after being Griven 50 street, were se- cured, and will probsbly Le seved, though | and the steamer Pat Cieburne ara in s critical cordition ; likowiso tho Nellie Thomas, who:a upper works aro. crusbed, ho Westwind, be- longing to Massingale & Bowrazn, of Nashville, is in groat peril, having Leer stripped of Ler up- Q ES o her_ cargo—cotton. §t. Louis & N is per works and forced against the whartboat with. such powor aa to break her shiafts. The Undine 0 Helen broke, and ilio Sumner and Koos sunk out of eight. The Clirper, tow-bozt, was driven down to the head of Prosident’s Isdand, and will prove a tolal loss. Mexrpins, Dec. 27—5 p. m.—Brown & Jones, Inrgo steambost owners, lose 130,000 worth cf conls Janving only thtes geys Supyly in tha Dands of the dealers. ‘Lie Jicmphis Gas Wor which supply thecity with gas, being out & day’s supply, the coal dezlers have zdvanced tha prico to 52 por barrcl, which will cansa great sufforing among the puor. When the break-up occurred, tho Andy Baurz was driven down on tho wharf-boat, Tayicx olls, ona of Ler pilots, aticmpted to jump from the hurricano rcof on to the wharf-boat, but fell into the river and was bady cruehed by the ico, and wes resc.icd with great aifficnl Jolm Clinton, the sccond mate, and the b keeper_ both mado tho leap, but were bad'y cuised. » The James Howard arrived from below ebot 10, and mado several ineffectual esforis o pil the City of Augusts out, without bewng able > move her. . The river is still rising, having risen three and & Balf foet sinco last evening. Mexrus, Dec, 27—7 p. m,—The gorgo formed at Randolph again to-day, but broke in tha atter- noon. The ice is now, ot 6 o'clock, running Leavier than ever. The Jamos Howard suce coeded in raving tho Undine, Helen Brocke, and Gty of Auguata. Tho work of wrecking tha Walt, Bello Pike, and Westwind is boing pusied with' grent energy. Laborers ara recelving 3 dollar & bale for Temoving cotton. Brown & Jones lost 80,000 baskels coal and sixteen coal boats and bargos. Their cutire loss i5 8130,000 ; no ivsurance, Tho tofal loss L7 the disaster will not fall short of & quarcer mil- lon. All the steamers here hevo steam up, ant patimg greater danger to-pight, Tho short s: Ply of coal is the all absorbing topic. Sfzscems, Tonn., Dec. S1—10 p. m—At 3 o'elock to-night the river s falling, which is cou- ridered an indication that it is gorged egain 2t Randolph. Steambostmen areall on the g tics for another crash of ice. The James Howard, after extricating the City of Augusta, bas got & line ashore &t the foot of Jefferaon street, but is unable to got to shore. The Walt is considercl lost. She is owned by Elliott Drothers, of this city, and is valued at $36,000 ; insared in Albany offices for $24,000. Her cabin furnituro has ='1 been removed, the cotton being saved. TEs Bello Piko is & totel loss; valued at 320,000; in- sured in St. Louis. The whole loss thus far will not exceed $200.- 000. The H. C. Yaeger lies against the baron the Arkangas shore, unharmed. Crvcrvxart, Dec. 21.—Of the boats sunk ab Memphis, the Andy Baum wos owned here end is insured probably for $30,800. Her value was 815,000, The Pat Clayborse uad City of Augus- ta had somo insurance in Cincinnati companies-. THE MODOC INDIANS. Eaid on o Party of Soidiers—Several Killed and Scalped—More Volunteers Wanteds Bax Fravcisco, Dec. 26.—A despatch from Yreka, to-night, says that last Saturday a party of soldiers, with a wagon, en_route. from Camp Bidwell to Captein Berrand’s camp, on Lost River, was attacked by about fifty Modocs. Twi» soldiors were killed ‘and four wounded. Fiva mules wero killed. The soldiers Lilled wera sealped. No Indisns are known to have bcea killed. Governor Booth_will bo asked to autho- rizo the raising of 100 volunteors in'this State to co-operate ith the volunteers in Oregon. 8aX Fraxcisco, Dec. 27.—A telegrm from Yreks says the Modos are being reinforced ty straggling Indiens, ana that eome of the Pith River tribes have joined them. . The Oregon volunteers will be soon mustered out. The are 280 soldiers in the field. Taking out those required for escort and guard duty, leaves only Eeventy-five fighting men. Onlg fourteen soldiers are at the St. Klamath reserva: lion to guard 2,500 Indians, g Mortars and bombsbells are to be employed in storming the Indians at Lava Bed stronghold.! P. A, Davies was appointed by & meeting of the citizens of Yreks to go to Sacramento 1o ask Governor Booth for o company of volunteers from this State. The seat of War is partly iz Oregon, partly in Californis, on either side of e boundary line. Escape of Xcc-Bound Prisoners. Corzmsowoop, Ont., Dec. 27.—Captsiu Oi and his Chief Engineer, with four of the c of the stesmer Cumberland, which was £ up in Bear Lak® in November, arrived night, they having walked down along the £e shore of Guorgian Bay, Captain Orr reper having left the steamer in safo quarters witl first mate in charge. Tho steward, steward o and _ two_ waiters woro also’ left board. The p experienced _terribly weather, and enduar a0 privation duris e hong, boing 50 days on foot. :nezineaal:—gcwicapf:mkosfluongh newly-made and was rescued with the greatest diilicult of the party were more or less fros Eighteen of the crew are still on their way o having been left eight miles from the Br Mines. y R X TN A Good Water Supply. Burraro, Deo. 27.—The wator panic and the city is mow supplied with the quantite.